We’re six weeks into the season and it’s time to start narrowing our list.

So this week, we’re down to our five top candidates.

They’ve been this season’s best, passed early season tests and have bigger opportunities ahead to sway Heisman voters.

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QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon

The stats: The sophomore is 60 for 107 passing (56.1 percent) for 1,003 yards (250.7), nine TDs and no interceptions. He also has 295 rushing yards (14.0 yards per carry) and five touchdowns.

The skinny: The Ducks’ closest game was last week’s 39-point win against Cal in a driving rain. Mariota did what he had to so don’t let his 11 of 25 passing performance fool you. He’ll assume a greater burden on offense with all-purpose back De’Anthony Thomas either sidelined or slowed with an ankle injury. In other words, Mariota has a big opportunity to shine.

The stats: He’s 100 for 140 passing (71.4 percent) for 1,489 yards (297.8 yards per game) with 14 TDs and four interceptions. He also has 314 rushing yards and three more scores.

The skinny: After sitting out the first half against Rice, the reigning Heisman winner has been, well, Manziel-like. He was great against top-ranked Alabama in a loss but offered up multiple Heisman moments. With Mike Evans to throw to again this season, expect Manziel to be right in the mix to win No. 2.

The stats: The senior is 73 for 114 passing (64.0) percent for 994 yards (248.5 yards per game) with nine TDs and no interceptions. He’s also run for 159 yards and four scores.

The skinny: His Week 1 performance in beating Georgia looks even better after the Bulldogs upended LSU last week. The schedule’s been soft since that game and will stay that way until Oct. 19 when FSU visits the Tigers. That game will be for ACC superiority and Boyd gets a big stage on the season finale against SEC rival South Carolina.

The stats: He’s throwing for 303.5 yards per game, completing 71. 8 percent of his passes with 14 TDs and just one interception.

The skinny: His numbers are great. He’s efficient and makes few mistakes. But his biggest opportunity to make a Heisman statement came and went without much impact. The Cardinals beat Kentucky, 27-13, and he was 16 of 28 for 250 yards and a score. Don’t be mistaken, that’s a good game, but to win the Heisman this season, that’s not going to cut it.

The stats: The sophomore is 61 for 92 passing (66.3 percent) for 848 yards (282.6 per game), eight TDs and three interceptions. He also has 157 yards rushing with two scores.

The skinny: Through three games, Hundley’s numbers are good, but not on par with Mariota and Manziel. But he’ll have plenty of opportunities to elevate himself (or drop from this list) with the Bruins’ schedule. Back-to-back games at Stanford and Oregon could make or break him later this month.

QB Bryce Petty, Baylor: The nation’s most efficient passer this season, the junior is throwing for 333.6 yards per game despite sitting out the bulk of the second half in the Bears’ three games. He’s completed 74.6 percent of his passes with eight TDs and no interceptions. Keep that up the rest of the season in the Big 12 – and continue winning -- and we’ll see you in New York, Mr. Petty.

QB Aaron Murray, Georgia: If he plays the rest of the season the way he did in wins against South Carolina and LSU, it’s easy to see the senior jumping up to the first five. He’s completed 68.1 percent of his passes for 334.5 yards per game and stepped up big time with four TD passes against both South Carolina and LSU.

QB Jameis Winston, FSU: Every week we wonder if he can keep it up and, so far, every week’s the redshirt freshman has produced. This week looks like his first real test against a much-improved Maryland team. Keep proving it, Jameis.

RB Todd Gurley, Georgia: The sophomore has had a tough road so far with games against Clemson, South Carolina and LSU. He’s been dinged, but still is averaging 112.5 yards per game despite missing time vs. LSU last week and Clemson in the opener.

RB Bishop Sankey, Washington: The junior leads the nation with 151.8 yards per game. He’s run for 161 yards twice and 208 and his lowest total (77) came on four carries in a blowout win vs. Idaho State.

QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State: The true wild card among this bunch. The award was his to lose early in the season and a knee injury sidelined him and Kenny Guiton excelled in his absence. But if Miller can return to form and lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten title, anything’s possible.

RB Lache Seastrunk, Baylor: A big play waiting to happen, the sophomore is averaging nearly 11 yards per carry and 139.0 yards per game in limited duty because the Bears haven’t been tested. It’s all Big 12 schedule from here out, so let the test taking begin.

QB Derek Carr, Fresno State: He’s second to Sean Mannion in passing yards per game with 361.2 and has 14 TDs and three interceptions. It’s likely that his numbers will get even more gaudy because the Bulldogs will have to throw: they allow 38.3 points per game (111th in the nation).

QB AJ McCarron, Alabama: It was going to be nearly impossible to duplicate the stats McCarron put up a year ago. He’s completing 68.2 percent of his throws despite going 10 for 23 in the opener vs. Virginia Tech. With LSU as the only ranked team remaining on the schedule, opportunities for statement games will be few and far between.

QB Sean Mannion, Oregon State: The Beavers’ horrible loss to Eastern Washington in Week 1 did in Mannion, but it’s difficult to ignore the numbers: nation’s-best 403.6 yards per game, 21 TDs and two interceptions in five games. But can he do it against future opponents Oregon, Stanford, Washington, USC and Arizona State?